THE REPORT OF FLOOD AND RELIEF DISTRIBUTION OF IGSSS AT BORDOLONI
Reported by Wilfred Topno
(Photo of flood at Bordoloni Block of Dhemaji district in Assam 14th July 2007)Jiadhol River broke the embankment and a large portion of bordoloni area was under water. We reached at 11:00 am we saw the flood which destroyed the houses as well as the roads and paddy fields. In 72 villages, around 5000 families were affected .The villagers fled to the road leaving their houses and took shelter in temporary shelters. We took some photos and came back. Wrote a report on flood after some days I went to Guwahati and gave to Mr.L.F.Minz with photos .He told me that it might not be possible to support the flood affected people because they were busy with the visit of E D.
Hope for support:-The following day he informed me that a phone call was received from German Agro Action asking about the flood situation in Assam. He told me to get more information. I hurried back to Gogamukh and gathered some more information and list of villages and send it to Mr. L.F.Minz. But till then I had come to know that Deputy Commissioner of Dhemaji was not allowing NGOs to take part in flood relief. Therefore, I was not much hopeful in relief distribution.
The decision:- In the month of August we were called to Tezpur to finalize about the relief work .I was asked about the permission from Deputy commissioner I was unable to give positive answer
but I asked for little more time to finalize my word .I called up to Mr.Arniban B Gohain and asked about the situation whether DC would give permission .He gave me positive answer .Then I called up to ADC Mr. Das who is the relief in-charge .He told me to come and discuss with DC he might give the Permission . Hearing all this I said DC will give permission and thus relief work in Dhemaji district was finalized mean while Mr. Robin B.Gohain reached the meeting place he gave strong support to the proposal. (Photo-Mr.L.F.Minz Adressing the village Head men and volunteers )Permission for Relief: 22nd of August we went to Dhemaji to get permission for the relief .I was accompanied by Mr. P.K.Chinte(Secretary Town Development committee) went to meet the DC. Road was completely destroyed therefore, we had to go round through tengnagora via Machkhua to Dhemaji. We talked with DC but he was not allowing us for distribution of food material. He said district administration has sufficient staff. We returned in distress.
On 27th August once again we went to DC with IGSSS regional Manger Mr.Paul Lokho and Mr.Florence Minz . This time DC complained against RVC and did not give permission.
Several protests were organized by public to give relief to flood victims.
Visit of Miss.Barbara(German Agro Action ) :-In between Miss.Barbara of German Agro Action visited the affected villages. Mr.L.F.Minz was very hopeful and insisted that the relief work must be carried out
at Bordoloni Block. It was very difficult task to conduct survey work for us because huge number of beneficiaries we had to cover. We collected list of villages and beneficiary from Revenue office and crossed checked and also collected list from Gaon Burahas (Village Head man) .The Relief Distribution:-On 15th of Oct. we decided that on 25th October we are distributing relief. But we were not ready. Therefore, the relief distribution took place on 28th Oct. 22nd we had planning with Mr.L.F.Minz and Mr.Netaji Basumothary. There was a debate on how many days shall we be taking for distribution two days or one day. Finally we decided for one day on 28th .On 26th we had a training program for volunteers so that the work will be smooth. On 28th morning 6.30 Am we had prayer at the distribution site of Gogamukh Higher Secondary School. Dr.PS Pegu was the Chief Guest for the distribution started at 7 am in the morning. Everybody appreciated that it was very systematic and smooth relief distribution. Within four hours four thousand people received relief. It was the best relief that people of Bordoloni Block ever received. We are proud for the people’s participation and support which made lead us to success.
The relief covered 45 villages of Bordoloni which has 3946 families and around 20,000 populations. Beneficiaries were provided with 35kg of rice ,10kg of Dal,700 gm of black ,1ltr of mustered oil,1 mosquito net ,1 spade ,1kg Salt ,Chlorine 1 bottle ,Bleaching powder 500gm ,Seeds of cabbage and Mustered seeds .1 mosquito net .
We are thankful to IGSSS and to German Agro Action though whom European commission gave the humanitarian Aid to the flood affected people of our locality.
Learning’s and achievements for PAD:-
It was a great learning for us as we learnt how to conduct a relief operation.
We experimented and got the best result on “Peoples participation”. As we have few workers in the organization hence it was not possible to take such a huge relief operation. Therefore, we requested people’s participation and people supported and co-operated with the organization. It has increased the ownership and faith of people to our organization.
We experienced the working with international organization like European commission and German Agro Action.
After doing the relief work we feel confidant and our ability is enhanced.
